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Registration of a startup company

There is a lot to consider when registering a startup.  Depending on the chosen legal form and the planned business project, companies must register with offices and authorities. On this page, founders can find out the most important steps when registering a startup, when a business must be registered with the trade office and how an innovative business idea can be protected.

Registration of a startup company
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Christian Brandes

How do I register my startup?

Basically, a company is registered with the trade office. Once the company has been founded, it must be registered with the relevant trade association. The tax office is responsible for all tax issues including tax registration, advance tax payments and the annual tax return.

The Federal Employment Agency issues a company number. This must be applied for when hiring employees and is used to register for social security and health insurance.

The more innovative your business idea, the more protection you need. Find out about technical property rights, such as patents and utility models, and apply for them early. Applications are made to the Patent Office. You can also protect your design and your own trademark.

Checklist: Steps involved in registering a startup

Do not underestime the bureaucratic effort involved in registering a company. Our checklist contains all the important to-dos for registering a startup:

  1. Decide on a legal form

  2. Choose a unique company name

  3. Register with the trade office

  4. Registration in the commercial register

  5. Tax registration with the tax office

  6. Take out insurance, health and pension insurance are important, as well as registration with your professional association

  7. Apply for membership of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)

  8. Open a separate bank account for your business

  9. Start accounting and tax documentation

You should also find out whether any of the following steps are needed:

a. Register a brand name with the patent office

b. Membership of the Chamber of Crafts

c. Applying for special licences

d. Registering your employees with the social security system

Business registration and entry in the commercial register
Where do you register your business, what do you need to bear in mind, what is the commercial register and how to register? All you need to know about registering your business in the commercial register.
Chamber of Commerce Hamburg

Registering with the employers' liability insurance association
All you need to know about your insurance options and the Employers' Liability Insurance Association.
Gründerplattform (in German)

Patents and protection of intellectual property

Property rights for products and ideas
How does an IP right work and what does it cover? Information on patents and utility models, trade marks, designs, copyright, geographical indications, title protection, plant variety protection, topography protection and product topography.
Chamber of Commerce Hamburg

Copyright: Protecting intellectual property
Important information on copyright and the consequences of copyright infringements.
Berufsverband der Rechtsjournalisten e.V.

Applying for a patent in Germany
The German Patent and Trade Mark Office offers protection for intellectual property in the fields of technical inventions, trade marks and product designs, as well as information on national, European and international partners.
Deutsches Patent- & Markenamt

SME fund
European Patent Office’s scheme to encourage SMEs to apply for trade marks. Funding is available for a preliminary IPR diagnosis and 50% of the application fees for trade marks and designs. Funding is limited to €1,500 per trade mark and can be applied for in five time slots.
KMU.Fonds

Software and Templates

Sample template for formation of a civil law partnership (GbR)
Sample contract for forming a civil law partnership (also known as a BGB partnership).
Handelskammer Hamburg

Beginner's search for patents, utility models, trade marks and designs
The DPMA Register provides legal publications on patents, utility models, trade marks and designs, as well as register data. You can also search for legal and procedural status and publication data.
Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt

Last accessed: December 2024

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